Advent: Christ Has Come. So, What Do We Have TO DO?

CHRIST HAS COME. SO WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO?

1. STAND ALONE

“Peter … asked, ‘Lord, what about him?’
Jesus answered, ‘… what is that to you? You must follow me.’” John 21:21,22

If Christ is really present to us in this world, we have to personally respond to him. What someone else does, or says, or wants, is not the point. We must be responding personally, day after day, year after year, on our own responsibility, to the Living Christ.

2. HONOR JESUS CHRIST PERSONALLY

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:68-69

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” Luke 6:46

If Christ is really present to us in this world, we have to personally treat him with great respect, listen carefully to what he has to say to us, and make it our life purpose to put his insight and purposes into practice.

3. TRAIN YOURSELF

Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:7-8

If Christ is really present to us in this world, we have to make it our business to be getting better and better at the spiritual life, at the life-with-Christ here and now.

4. BE IN FELLOWSHIP

Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25

If Christ is really present to us in this world, we have to take advantage of the benefits of regular interaction with other Christ-followers, and also offer them the advantages of us being present in their lives.

5. SEE THE WORLD

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” John 4:34-35

If Christ is really present to us in this world, we have to share his concern for all the people around us – especially in Hastings and central Nebraska – and learn to see and respond to them as he does and desires us to do.